An affordable unlocked phone with a sturdy build and a bright HD display

The $160 Blu R1 Plus is affordable, but beyond that, it just doesn't have much to offer. The phone is outmatched in nearly all regards by the Life One X2, which we think is well worth the extra $40 for its sharper display, faster processor, fingerprint sensor, and superior battery life.

The $160 Blu R1 Plus is affordable, but beyond that, it just doesn't have much to offer. The phone is outmatched in nearly all regards by the Life One X2, which we think is well worth the extra $40 for its sharper display, faster processor, fingerprint sensor, and superior battery life.

An affordable phone with the basic features

If you want a no-frills smartphone at an affordable price, the $159.99 Blu R1 Plus deserves consideration, thanks to its better-than-average battery life and decent rear camera. You will have to use the phone on a GSM-based carrier, however, and you'll need to live with less-than-peppy performance and a not-as-vibrant display.

If you want a no-frills smartphone at an affordable price, the $159.99 Blu R1 Plus deserves consideration, thanks to its better-than-average battery life and decent rear camera. You will have to use the phone on a GSM-based carrier, however, and you'll need to live with less-than-peppy performance and a not-as-vibrant display.

A mediocre handset with only a few truly redeeming qualities

If all you want is an unlocked phone with a big screen and killer battery life, then perhaps you'll be happy with the R1 Plus. I generally want more from my phone, which is why I find the R1 Plus hard to recommend.

If all you want is an unlocked phone with a big screen and killer battery life, then perhaps you'll be happy with the R1 Plus. I generally want more from my phone, which is why I find the R1 Plus hard to recommend.

One of the most affordable Android phones we've ever tested

The Blu R1 Plus is the 2017 sequel to one of the cheapest Android phones on Amazon, and it’s back: faster, sturdier and longer lasting than before. At $159 (or $109 on sale at launch) it has a completely adequate HD display, metal finish and long battery life. Just don’t expect 3D gam...More

The Blu R1 Plus is the 2017 sequel to one of the cheapest Android phones on Amazon, and it’s back: faster, sturdier and longer lasting than before. At $159 (or $109 on sale at launch) it has a completely adequate HD display, metal finish and long battery life. Just don’t expect 3D games to perform well or have it run the latest version of Android anytime soon. This is a true budget phone for the sub-$200 crowd.

A low-end, budget-friendly phone that offers a vanilla Android experience

The BLU Advance 5.0 shows that $60 can take you places, but those places are often bumpy, with problems to follow. Many praise its lack of bloatware, pure Android experience, budget-friendly price tag and ability to run games with relative ease.

The BLU Advance 5.0 shows that $60 can take you places, but those places are often bumpy, with problems to follow. Many praise its lack of bloatware, pure Android experience, budget-friendly price tag and ability to run games with relative ease.

A $60 Amazon phone that’s way better than Amazon’s actual phone

BLU’s R1 HD should only really be on the table if you’re trying to buy the most phone you can for the least amount of money. Other phones are faster and have better cameras and receive updates more consistently. But it’s a solid bargain even at its non-Amazon price of $100 (or $...More

BLU’s R1 HD should only really be on the table if you’re trying to buy the most phone you can for the least amount of money. Other phones are faster and have better cameras and receive updates more consistently. But it’s a solid bargain even at its non-Amazon price of $100 (or $110 for the 2GB version I’d strongly recommend).

Helping redefine the budget smartphone

This phone gets a lot right, with a solid design and build quality, decent performance, a clean software package, and an unbeatable price point. The camera experience is a bit of a let down, and the ads, if you go for the Prime version, can get annoying, but at this price, these are understandabl...More

This phone gets a lot right, with a solid design and build quality, decent performance, a clean software package, and an unbeatable price point. The camera experience is a bit of a let down, and the ads, if you go for the Prime version, can get annoying, but at this price, these are understandable compromises to make. If you are looking for a good option on a budget, the BLU R1 HD should definitely be considered.

Insanely cheap for what it does

This is the phone for when you break your real phone and need to fill the gap until you’re ready for a true upgrade. This is the phone you get if you feel like your life would benefit from a second smartphone but don’t want to commit to the idea. Better still, this is the phone you do...More

This is the phone for when you break your real phone and need to fill the gap until you’re ready for a true upgrade. This is the phone you get if you feel like your life would benefit from a second smartphone but don’t want to commit to the idea. Better still, this is the phone you don’t get, but use as a baseline for how inconceivably good and how cheap smartphones have gotten. The Blu R1 HD isn’t better than anything. But it’s still plenty good.

A decent smartphone for as low a price as possible

The Blu R1 HD is certainly affordable, but that doesn't necessarily make it a bargain. The phone's design, display and battery life are satisfactory for a low-cost device, but its weak camera and inability to run graphically demanding apps serve as a constant reminder that this is a budget option.

The Blu R1 HD is certainly affordable, but that doesn't necessarily make it a bargain. The phone's design, display and battery life are satisfactory for a low-cost device, but its weak camera and inability to run graphically demanding apps serve as a constant reminder that this is a budget option.

awesome nice phone and unlocked

four months the phone freezes up

So if I open an app up it would not open would push the back button and nothing would happen. Then get a message that say's app is not responding. Then try to reboot or power off it wouldn't do either. At the moment I can't even check my voice mail. Call from a different phone and it ring one time then...More

So if I open an app up it would not open would push the back button and nothing would happen. Then get a message that say's app is not responding. Then try to reboot or power off it wouldn't do either. At the moment I can't even check my voice mail. Call from a different phone and it ring one time then silences.The phone is nice just wish that the phone did not freeze up for the 2nd time. Once in the begin of the month of and now towards the end.
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